Hello DKos. This is my first diary, after about 18 months of "lurking" here. I have grown to know and appreciate this site for the generally thoughtful analysis presented here. It has been wonderful to know that there are others out there on my wavelength; people who try their hardest to use logic and critical thinking to understand the issues of our time.
This diary is my first attempt, so I apologize in advance if I break some rules or conventions. However, I am very confident in this community's ability to correct me (gently, hopefully).
Ok, so let me get to the point. It is probably safe to assume that we all have friends and family (or coworkers, bosses, etc.) that do not agree with our positions on a variety of issues. Some of you may be lucky enough to live in an area where progressive ideas dominate (and associate mostly with individuals that share our basic progressive/liberal values). Others probably feel like they are under siege by a "red army" of ignorant or malicious conservatives. Personally, I live in a university town, and have the pleasure of interacting with thoughtful students and faculty members in my day to day life. For this I consider myself to be very lucky. I have lived in blood red areas too, so I can relate to that reality.
When I visit with my family and some old friends, we often discuss politics and the state of the world in general. Often, I am very surprised that these supposedly thoughtful people who have had such an impact on my life harbor views that I can only describe as ignorant. This ignorance is not because of a lack of educational opportunities, or even exposure to progressive ideas. Instead, this ignorance is willful. It is a conscious decision.
These willfully ignorant people are not just limited to those I encounter in my daily life, or those family and friends that I love but just do not understand. No, our nation (and world for that matter) appears to be circling the drain at a faster and faster speed. Our democratic institutions are slowly being gutted, our power as individuals being overwhelmed by moneyed interests. Nothing about this is new, or surprising if history is any indicator. What can we do?
Logic, reason, thought-whatever you want to call it-can't cure willful ignorance. A well reasoned argument is a beautiful thing to me, but most people do not use reason and logic to make decisions. Thinking is hard, doing what you're told is easy. What about force? Probably not, and I'm in no position to use force even if I wanted to (I don't). Fighting for political change? Been there, done that. I think BO is the best thing to happen to America since, well, ever. But, even Superman can't save us now. Our government is broken and while many of us could probably suggest some great ways to fix it, we aren't in Washington pulling the strings.
So what about punching out, heading for the hills and starting over? Well...that is another matter entirely. I know it is about the most selfish thing a person could do, but I keep coming back to the conclusion that there is only one option left.
So this is my question to you, DKos: Why should we fight? Why do we fight?
Let me know. Thank you.